The Mass QUESTION from Minguel November 15, 2000 Why do catholics only get the body (host) and not the blood (wine) during the mass. my answer to a protestant would be that there are too many of us in church. but then that does not sould very convincing.. does it????
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, O.L.S.M. on March 2, 2001 Dear Mr. Minguel:
Catholic may receive communion under both species (the Body and the Blood) or they may receive under only one species. This is because both species is the Real Presence of the Body and Blood. When you recieve from one, you receive from both.
The Church teaches that it is preferable to distribute communion under both species because that more perfectly illustrates the Body and Blood. But the faithful are to be properly catechized to remember that communion under both species is not required. When they receive the host alone, they are receiving BOTH the Body and the Blood.
As to why your parish may not distribute under both species, I don't know. You might ask your parish priest.
The main thing to remember is that Jesus is WHOLE in His Real Presence under ONE species. Body and Blood are present in the Host ALONE, and in the wine ALONE. You have all of Jesus either way.
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